LEEDS have lost their bid to reverse the 15-point deduction handed to them by the Football League for breaking the rules of administration.

The decision by the three-man independent tribunal means the club stay sixth in Coca-Cola League One and must compete in the play-offs if they are to achieve promotion to the Championship.[>

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The verdict was a relief for Swansea, now confirmed as League One champions, and also for Doncaster, Nottingham Forest and Carlisle, who will contest the other automatic promotion place.[>

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Leeds chairman Ken Bates has been vociferous in his belief that the club had done nothing wrong since the penalty was handed out last summer, but they yesterday issued a statement reading: “The matter is now closed”. However, there was anger at criticism they had taken too long over registering their appeal.[>

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“We feel this is unjust as we sought to oppose the imposition from August 30, 2007,” the statement added. “If we had not, the club would have been lost forever, far too big a price to pay.[>

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“It is galling… since delays by the Football League effectively backed us into this corner in the first place.”[>

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